Dwight Howard named East's Player of the Week

Dwight Howard's stellar offensive start has not gone unnoticed. The Orlando Magic center has been named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week, the NBA announced on Monday afternoon.

Howard averaged 23.3 points, 13.4 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game in three Magic victories during the week. On Tuesday versus the Timberwolves, Howard set a Magic franchise record for most blocked shots in a quarter with six, breaking his previous record of five in a quarter.

Chris Paul is the West's player of the week. Paul averaged 17.3 points, 11 assists and 3.7 steals, including 13 points, 19 assists and five steals in a victory over the Miami Heat. Paul has led the Hornets to 6-0, the best start in franchise history.

Chris Paul, New Orleans HornetsNov. 3 @ Houston: Tallied 25 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and four steals in a 107-99 win over the Rockets. Nov. 5 vs. Miami: Posted 13 points, 19 assists, and five steals in the Hornets' 96-93 win over the Heat. Nov. 6 @ Milwaukee: Scored 14 points and added nine rebounds and six assists during an 87-81 win over the Bucks.

Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week include Philadelphia's Elton Brand, New York's Toney Douglas, Atlanta's Al Horford and Josh Smith, San Antonio's Richard Jefferson, Miami's LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, New Orleans' Emeka Okafor, Phoenix's Jason Richardson, Houston's Luis Scola, and Charlotte's Gerald Wallace. Zach McCann can be reached at zmccann@orlandosentinel.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ZachMcCann.